Unwavering

Week 2

Day 4

“Let whoever is wise understand these things, and whoever is insightful recognize them. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the righteous walk in them, But the rebellious stumble in them.”

Hosea 14:9

Israel at this point in time is senseless. He’s speaking my language. I’ve been in their shoes and walked the same path. “Simple, gullible, without expertise. Referring to the one who does not have the heart or discernment to make right choices, one who is easily influenced by unwise counsel.” (HCSB, 2018p.1403) Thank God, He has a wiser way, and the patience to wait out my obstinance.

Yesterday, we looked at the heart of this group of people, hearts possibly similar to our own, with lingering obstinance, in spite of salvation.

Hosea 7:6 says ‘For they, their heart like an oven, draw him into their oven. Their anger smolders all night;

Hosea 7:14 They do not cry to Me from their hearts; rather they wail on their beds. They slash themselves for grain and new wine; they turn away from Me.

Hosea 9: 1 Israel, do not rejoice jubilantly as the nations do, for you have acted promiscuously, leaving your God. You have loved the wages of a prostitute on every grain-threshing floor.

Hosea 9:10 I discovered Israel like grapes in the wilderness, I saw your fathers like the first fruit of the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal-peor, consecrated themselves to Shame, and became detestable, like the thing they loved.  

Hosea 10: 2 Their hearts are devious, now they must bear their guilt.

Hosea 13: 6 When they had pasture, they became satisfied they were satisfied, and their hearts became proud. Therefore, they forgot Me.

The poetic language in these scriptures paint a picture of history. The history of their nation as well as ours. All the way from smoldering anger to prideful hearts becoming proud and forgetting who our Provider is. A republic selling ourselves out to other countries, thinking of our own pleasure before God. Largely, a nation well-fed, loving alcohol, and sex.

In spite of advances in technology, knowledge, and culture the human heart is the same. It is prone to wander and seek its own pleasure. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick (Jeremiah 17:9a) In spite of treacherous hearts; scripture reveals God’s faithful love remains the same.

 I thank Him for his faithful love and His word that keeps me alert to my wayward heart! There are two things He clarifies for Israel, and hence for us; discipline and a chance to draw near to Him.

Please read Hosea chapters 8-14 and consider the following questions:

1. The consequences of corruption are serious, and that is why the New Testament writers understood a very important principle lost on our youth today: Write Hebrews 10:31 in the space below:
2. The consequences of Israel’s sin are given in the prophetic warning of Hosea: He is the voice crying out to repent. The same voice throughout history God sends to wake us up from our slumber of complacency and focus on what really matters. What is God’s plan to wake them up? (Hosea 10:10)
3. What is God’s plea for Israel (and in essence all those who claim to know Him)? (Hosea 10: 12)
4. God’s love, is as tender as a mother with a newborn babe sometimes, and at other times it’s as tough as dad’s belt on the behind, when children are unruly. (I know that was back in the day, ‘no one’ would dare do that now). Please write Hosea 11:1 in the space below:
5. The sense of betrayal has been felt by every parent reading this at some point in the rearing of children (if not yet, just wait) read through Hosea 11:2-8 again and list the “I” statements God makes in the space below.
6. What is stirred in God according to verse 9 of Hosea 11, and what does God refuse to do?
7. What plea is on the lips of God through the prophet Hosea in 14:1-2?
8. The promise of God is clear when people turn their wayward hearts back to Him, what is that promise? (Hosea 14:4-7)

What we see in the Old Testament is exactly what is played out in the presence of Jesus our savior in the New Testament. I am thankful God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8).  The word repent in the OT bible gateway ESV version is listed 22 times. In the NT it is listed in 53 verses!

Yes, God loves us and calls us to return to Him. May we pray today, our introductory verse for ourselves and our loved ones who may not understand these things.

 God, we pray for insight to recognize where we are rebelling and stumbling. Help us to be wise and soften our hearts to want change. Open our ears to hear the pleas of your prophets and our Lord Jesus, to repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Mathew 4:17) Praise you, God. I pray your blessing over each lady who finishes this study today and cheer her heart with joy as she puts all faith and trust in you. In Jesus name, Amen.